Executive Advisor- Water Economics & Infrastructure Investment Strategy

Who are we looking for?

GHD Advisory is seeking an Executive Advisor – Water Economics & Infrastructure Investment Strategy to lead and grow our water sector financial advisory and investment facilitation capabilities from the NYC Metro Area. This is a senior, client-facing leadership role for someone who operates at the intersection of water utility management, infrastructure economics, and private capital mobilization.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted intermediary between municipal water and wastewater clients and private sector investors, helping utilities unlock new funding pathways, structure innovative financing, and deliver infrastructure more effectively.
• Bring deep knowledge of U.S. municipal finance alongside a working understanding of international alternative delivery and investment models — including P3/PPP frameworks used in Australia, the UK, Canada, and Asia-Pacific — and help translate those approaches for the U.S. market.
• Lead business development, mentoring multidisciplinary teams, and bringing global best practices to deliver integrated, financially sustainable infrastructure solutions.
• Engage utility executives and senior decision-makers to provide trusted advisory insights.
• Design the project architecture, building on the initial proposal and the client interviews to develop a solution that meets the client's stated requirements and addresses any identified client issues.

Requirements

• 20+ years of experience in infrastructure finance, water/wastewater utility economics, investment advisory, or related fields.
• A Professional Engineer (PE) or equivalent professional credential (CFA, PFM, or comparable financial certification) is preferred.
• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Deep expertise in water and wastewater utility operations and finance — including rate structures, capital planning, CIP development, and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience structuring or facilitating P3/PPP transactions, alternative delivery, or private capital placement for municipal infrastructure.
• A strong working knowledge of U.S. municipal finance instruments — municipal bonds, SRF, WIFIA, environmental impact bonds, credit facilities.
• Familiarity with international alternative delivery and financing models (e.g., Australian alliance contracting, UK DPC, Asian infrastructure investment models).
• Demonstrated ability to engage and advise C-suite utility executives and municipal finance leaders (GMs, CFOs, finance directors, elected officials).
• Experience working with or alongside private investors, infrastructure funds, investment banks, or development finance institutions.
• A strong understanding of asset management principles — lifecycle planning, risk-based investment prioritization, capital optimization — and their connection to financial strategy.
• Exceptional communication skills — able to translate complex financial and technical concepts into clear, executive-ready recommendations.
• A relationship builder with a strong network in the water/wastewater utility and infrastructure finance community.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Skills

• Infrastructure finance.
• Water/wastewater utility economics.
• Investment advisory.
• Public-private partnerships (P3s).
• Alternative delivery models.
• U.S. municipal finance instruments.
• International alternative delivery and financing models.
• Asset management principles.
• Financial modeling.
• Risk frameworks.
• Program strategy.

Benefits

• 401K - Eligible to participate on the first day of the month following 3 months of service.
• Paid time off – PTO starts at 16 days per year and increases with years of service.
• Holiday Pay - Holiday pay is provided for eligible employees.
• Wellness Benefit - Eligible to participate in the wellness reimbursement program.